Posted on 15th May 2019

“The True Viking” has signed on with EPOK Agency.

Denmark’s Søren Bak (13-1), a two-time Cage Warriors champion, has been on an absolute tear since joining the London-based promotion back in May 2017, winning all five of his fights en route to capturing both a lightweight and interim featherweight title.

And now he’s ready to take the next step.

“Before signing with EPOK, me and my trainer (Carsten Ettrup) were doing everything ourselves: Getting sponsors, looking for fights, preparing for everything,” explained Bak. “It’s been just the two of us, really. Joining EPOK and making it a team effort with specialists in all the right places, I believe it’s going to make a big difference in my career.”

Bak, 26, defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision at CW 96 to win the lightweight title in September 2018. He then vacated the lightweight strap and moved down a weight class, targeting the featherweight title. After featherweight champion Dean Trueman withdrew from a planned bout at CW 103, Bak defeated Morgan Charriere via unanimous decision to capture the Cage Warriors interim featherweight title.

But a planned title-unification bout vs. Truman at CW 106 never materialized. After testing the waters at 145 pounds, Bak, who walks around at approximately 185 pounds, realized the cut was going to take a toll on his body. He withdrew from the bout and relinquished the interim title and will now be making a return to the lightweight division.

“I was prepared to take the one fight at featherweight, which I did,” said Bak,” who trains under Carsten Ettrup at CSA DK in Copenhagen. “After that I was pretty clear I wanted some time to evaluate before taking another fight. I knew I could cut the weight; it was just a matter of whether or not I could perform at the weight and how my body would react to it. I took the time to carefully consider whether it was a wise move or not.

“I think looking at my longevity as a fighter, I have to prepare my own way, so to speak, and it was just too hard, at least in the long run. Also, the time it’s taken me to get back to not just my normal weight, but getting my body back to full strength, has been a long and tough road compared to what I’m used to.”

The Toksvaerd, Storstrøm native, who harkens back to the Viking age by walking to the cage holding an axe with a wolf pelt draped over his shoulders, has been nursing some injuries but will be back in the cage to resume his career very soon, with his sights set on one day competing in the Octagon.

“The overall goal has always been to go to the UFC and prove myself there. And along the way, I’ve hit little goals like being the Cage Warriors champion and becoming a two-division champion. That’s where I’m at right now. I’m just taking a deep breath and enjoying the road.”